Head of UNIFIL chairs tripartite meeting in Lebanon

Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major-General Michael Beary on Thursday chaired his first tripartite meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

He said he is encouraged by the Lebanese and Israeli representatives' "determination to maintain peace and stability, and by their strong commitment to the provisions of Resolution 1701," a statement by the UNIFIL said.

It said the discussions focused on issues related to the implementation of UNIFIL's mandate under UN Security Council resolution 1701, air and ground violations, situation along the Blue Line and its ongoing visible marking, as well as the issue of withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern Ghajar.

Beary said he looks forward to carrying on the good work of the historical forum in a constructive manner.

"I count on your partnership and support both inside and outside of this room, as we forge ahead to bridge obstacles and find agreeable solutions within our mandate on contentious issues along the Blue Line," Beary said.

On the ongoing developments in the Shab'a Farms area, which has led to a rise in tension in north of the Blue Line, he said "the UNIFIL's priority is to prevent tension and escalation and to de-conflict potentially dangerous situations on the ground."

He called on the parties to refrain from unilateral actions that can jeopardize the calm and stability in the area.

The tripartite meetings have been held regularly under the auspices of UNIFIL since the end of the 2006 war.

It has become an essential conflict management and confidence-building mechanism between the parties. Endit